MANILA, Philippines, June 23 (UPI) -- Forecasters downgraded Typhoon Fengshen, which cut a deadly path across the Philippines, to a tropical storm Monday as it moved into the South China Sea.
The storm weakened slightly over the last 24 hours because of wind shear and landfall, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 mph with gusts to 80 mph, AccuWeather.com reported.
Warm waters of the South China Sea will allow the storm to maintain its current intensity over the next 24 hours, forecasters said.
During the weekend Typhoon Fengshen ripped through the Philippines, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands. The Red Cross said at least 155 people were killed, not including the count from a ferry that capsized during the height of the storm.
Officials said they found "no signs of life" in the capsized passenger ferry M/V Princess of the Star as rescue operations resumed Monday off the central Philippines province of Romblon.
The death toll from the ferry was 94, with 67 injured and 92 reported missing, National Disaster Coordinating Council Executive Director Anthony Golez told Philippine Inquirer.net.
The inter-island ferry carried 724 passengers, 121 crew and four sea marshals when it stalled then capsized Saturday, Cmdr. Luis Tuason, chief of the Metro Manila Coast Guard, said.
Officials said 28 survivors on a life boat were recovered in Mulanay in Quezon province.
